Premier visits for Sagewoods grand opening

Times Reporter   

 

Premier Alison Redford was in Strathmore on Dec. 19 for the grand opening of phase 2 at Sagewood Seniors Community. Almost two years ago to the day the government made a commitment of $7.6million through the Alberta Supportive Living Initiative for the development of the 100 new spaces created in phase 2. 

The new phase features 35 secured supportive living units, 35 supportive living units and 25 long-term care beds. 

“We wanted to build a community where the seniors had a choice, and a voice, in the type of housing and the level of care and support services they receive and how they receive it,” said Dr. Hasmukh Patel, chief executive officer for AgeCare Communities. 

Patel said originally AgeCare wanted Strathmore to have a choice of housing and services for most residents. Unfortunately they could not get the land use designation to build affordable housing for young individuals and families so the vision changed a little and the focus became solely on seniors.

When Redford was first elected she had a meeting with AgeCare, when everything was still on a drawing board. She remembers thinking that once completed Sagewood would be an incredible facility. 

“This is a model where people can truly connect with family, be safe and continue to thrive,” said Redford

“The fact that seniors have choice with respect to where they live and how they live is tremendously important.” 

“Providing appropriate living spaces for seniors in their own communities is part of the governments commitment to providing safe, quality continuing care,” said Associate Minister of Seniors Dave Quest. 

Betty Fenton’s brother Jack Stefanich was in the Strathmore Hospital long-term care unit for over a year. He owns a home in Strathmore and when he was placed in the hospital he was unhappy and wanted to go home. When he heard the hospital’s long-term care unit was closing down and that Sagewood would be opening phase 2 around the same time he was excited. 

“He told me to come down here and enroll him immediately, he said he wanted out of the hospital,” said Fenton. 

“He had two weeks to go, he kept marking the calendar off asking when could I get out of here (the hospital). Since he has been in here he has improved a lot, he doesn’t take his tantrums like he did before … he just was upset with leaving his home. You wouldn’t believe he is the same person since October, he never had to try to get used to this place, no, he was just happy to be here and he’s like that now.”

Sagewood Villa’s in the third and final phase to the Sagewood community currently in the works. There are 20 bungalows planned that seniors will be able to purchase.